Dump wagon



Jan. 3G, 1951 R, Q DIXSON 2,539,731.

DUMP WAGON Filed June 7, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l Im/5mm.

Fm 30, 1951 R. o. Dlxssom 4` 2,539,731

DUMP WAGON Filed June 7, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INK/EN TGR,

@ @ffm/Mig Patented Jan. 30, 1951 NTE STATES orifice -f 91gClairns. 1

This invention relates-to materialsv handling apparatus and is particularly directed to a device for transporting and dumping materials such as earth, rock, sand, coal,ore,-or other bull; material. Devices o this type are commonly-,employed for earthV moving operations and they are subject to rough handling, operation over uneven terrain, exposure to the elements, and, accordingly, are subjected to very severe service.

The principal object of this invention is to provide adevice for transporting and dumping bulk material which will voperate under-severe service conditions andwhich will dump or spread bulk material in any'desired Vmanner and which is of relatively simple rugged construction andiA not apt to get out of order.

Another object is to provide a heavy duty, high capacity, dump wagon having a mobile frameprovided with a hopper andmovablequadrant-meinbers closing the bottom of the hopper and separable to spread a load transversely of theirame.

A further object is to provide adump wagon device of this type in which reinforcement-is-provided around the lower portion of fthehopper and in which the sides of the closing quadrantsare not subjected to lateral pressure ofthe load within the hopper, in order that the quadrants-may freely operate even though the frame may -be tilted at an angle.

Another object is to provide a device-ofthe type described in which aY hopper is provided within a box section frame and-wherein quadrants movable about independent pivots suspended below the box section are operable to close the bottom of the hopper or to be moved to a partially open position to spread the load during forward movement of the frame.

A further object is to locate thesupporting pivots for the closingquadrants relative to the frame in a manner such that the quadrants tend to close by the force of gravity in order that material adhering to the hopper or closing quadrants may be jarred loose by permitting the quadrants to descend by gravity into jarring contact lwith a common stop member mounted on l the lower portionof the hopper between the quadrants.

Other related objects include the provision-of cable operated means for, operatingthe kquadrants which is mounted Cn the mobile frame in a posil `mobile frame having a relatively low cen-terbf gravity to prevent overturning of theV vehicle when operating on uneven ground-'the'framefbeing relatively stiff to avoid undesirable deflections-to insure proper operation of the, parts under load.

Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Figure l is a top plan View partly broken away showing a preferred embodiment of my invention.

. Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof also partly broken away.

Figure 3 is a sectional elevation in diagrammatic form, taken substantially on the line 3--3 as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a side elevation of a portionof the device showing the quadrants in position to close the bottom of the hopper.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, showing the quadrants raised to allow discharge of material from the hopper.

Figure 6 is a rear elevation, partly in section, taken substantially on the line t--i as shown in Figure l.

Refer-ring to the drawings, the mobile; frame generally designated It is shown in the form of a semi-trailer adapted to be supported at the front end on a tractor unit Il and having a pairvof rear wheels l2 and I3 for supporting the rearward end thereof. It will be understood that, ifv del sired, the wheels lli and 5 of the tractorunit Il could be provided as the front wheels ofv the mobile frame lil and a tongue extended for wardly therefrom to a towing vehicle. An advantage of the arrangement shownis that a portion of the weight of `the load-carrying device as well as a portion of the load itself is supported on the wheels lll and l5 in order to increase the traction of the unit I l.

The frame l is provided with parallel box sections i6 and il which extend longitudinally of the vehicle on-.oppoeite sides oi4 the-hopper generally designated Id. Each of theV box .sections lt and ii includes a vertical plate lfwhich extends vertically from the top of the frame .and forms a side wall of the hopper it. Spaced outwardly from the plate 5S is a parallel plate 26. A connecting cover'plate 2l andlowerplate cooperate to dene'the boxsections :it andv l?.

The members l5, 2E), 2l and 22 are preferably joined by welding.. Front and rear walls 23 and 2li extend downwardly at an angle andcooperate with the side walls'I i titodefine the interior ofthe hopper i8. rThe hopper it is open at the topand is provided with a rectangular opening4 ine-the bottom between the lower edges of the front and rear wallsrzfi .and 2li: and; between thas-ide plates-i9.

Downwardly extending struts 26 are provided at the rear end of the frame i6 for supporting the rear wheels I2 and i3. IThese wheels as Well as the tractor wheels I4 and i5 may comprise very large diameter, heavy duty rubber tires, and bearings, not shown, may be provided for individually mounting the wheels I2 and I3 on the struts 26. A bumper member 2l may be provided between the rear wheels l2 and i3 and extending rearwardly therefrom for use in pushing the device should such operation ever become necessary or desirable. The forward end of the frame I in front of the forward wall 23 of the hopper I8 is formed as a strut 23 at a relatively high elevation in order to provide clearance for the tractor wheels I4 and I5 during turning operations. The extreme forward end of the strut 28 carries a so-called fth wheel 29 which provides a universal connection between the tractor and frame i5, permitting tilting movement about mutually perpendicular horizontal axes as well as rotation about the vertical axis.

Means are provided for closing the opening in the bottom of the hopper and, as shown in the drawings, this means includes a pair of quadrant members 39 and 3i which are pivotally mounted on pivot pins for movement about horizontal axes transverse to the longitudinal frame lil. The quadrant 96 is pivotally carried on pins 32 and 33 which are coaxially aligned and supported by the plate members i9 and 29 forming portions of the box sections I6 and l?. The pins 34 and 35 support the quadrant member 3| in a similar fashion. It will be noted that the spacing S between pins 32 and 34 is less than the radius of the curved bottoms 36 and Sl which are formed as a portion of a cylinder having its axis coincident with the axis of the supporting pins. As ,shown in Figure 6, the pivot pin 36 extends through openings provided in the plates i9 and 29 and is provided with an enlarged head 58 mounted exteriorly of the plate 26. A cap 39 attached to the plate by any convenient means such as the threaded elements 40 prevents the pin from moving out of operative position. A hub 49a rotatably mounted on the pin 34 between the plates I9 and 29 carries a side plate 4| which is shaped similarly to the sector of a circle. rihe lower curved edge 42 of the side plate 4| is joined to the curved bottom 3l by welding. Stiiener elements 53 and 44 also exl tend from the hub 49a and at their lower ends join with transversely extending stiifeners 45. The mountingT oi one side of the quadrant member 3| has been described in detail and it is to be understood that the other side of the quadrant member is constructed in the same manner. Similarly, the construction and manner of support of the quadrant member 36 is substantially identical to that just described for the quadrant member 3|.

As best shown in Figure 5, the side plates I9 of the hopper I8 are arcuately curved at their lower ends in the form of two intersecting arcs 46 and 4l struck from the pivotal axes of the quadrant members 36 and 3|. rEhe curved bottoms 36 and 3l of the quadrant members lie closely adjacent the arcs 46 and 4l when the quadrant members are in their closed position. It will be observed that although the quadrant members 60 and 3| are provided with side plates 4| that these side plates are not subjected to transverse pressure by reason of the load of material carried in the hopper I8. Transverse pressure developed by reason of the presence of material in the hopper I8 is carried by the side plates I9 and a reinforcing stiffener member 48 extends horizontally along the side plates I9 to prevent lateral distortion of the side plates under load. Transverse stifeners 49 and 5E) extend horizontally along the front wall 23 and back wall 24 respectively of the hopper I8. A vertical stifener 5| may also be provided on each side plate I9 which extends between the member 48 and the Plate 22. A V- shaped member 52 is mounted on each side plate I9 centrally thereof above the intersection of the terminal arcuate edges 46 and 4l'. The members 52 are provided with surfaces 53 and 54 acting as stops to limit the closing movement of the quadrant members 30 and 3| under the innuence of gravity. The surface 53 is adapted to be contacted by the edge 55 on the side plate 4| of the quadrant member 3|), and, similarly, the surface 54 is adapted to be contacted by the edge 56 of the side plate 4I on the quadrant member 3|.

Means are provided for moving the quadrant members from the closed position shown in Figure 4 to the fully open position shown in Figure 5, or to any intermediate position as desired, and this means includes flexible cables 51 and 58 secured at 59 and 60 to the quadrant members 30 and 3| respectively. The cable 58 passes over the pulley 6| which is rotatably mounted within the enclosure 62 at the upper and rearward portion of the frame I0. After passing over the angularly mounted pulley 6| the cable 58 extends horizontally to pass over the horizontal pulley 63 which is also rotatably mounted within the enclosure 62. The cable 58 then passes through the space 64 within the box section I6 and is wound on a spooling drum 65 at one end of a shaft 66. The shaft 66 is mounted in an enclosure 66a provided on the frame I0 near the forward end of the vehicle.

The cable 51 is similarly spooled on the drum 67a. so that upon rotation of the shaft 66 the cables 51 and 58 are simultaneously spooled or unspooled on their respective drums. A power drum 68 is also xed on the shaft 66 and is adapted to receive a flexible cable 69 which extends forwardly through an opening l0 provided in the frame I9 for actuation by power means, not shown, carried on the tractor When the cable 69 is pulled toward the tractor I I, the shaft 66 is caused to rotate and the cables 57 and 58 are spooled upon their respective drums 61a and 65, thereby moving the quadrants 30 and 3| to open position. It is to be understood that the mechanism, not shown, for applying tension to the cable 69 is capable of holding the line at any desired point so that the quadrants 30 and 3| may be opened to any desired extent. In this manner the load in the hopper I8 may be spread transversely of the vehicle as it rolls forward. If desired, means may be provided for facilitating proper spooling of the various cables on their respective drums, and, as shown in the drawings, this means may include a threaded portion on the shaft 66 which passes through a stationary bracket 12 having a threaded opening. When the cable 69 causes the drum 68 to rotate, the

shaft 66 is turned and also progressed axially by the thread '|I so that the lateral position of the cables 69, 51 and 58 remains substantially unchanged. Bearings '|3 and '|4 may be provided for supporting the shaft for rotary and longitudinal movement.

The spacing of the pivot pins 32-33 and 34-35 is such that the quadrants 30 and 3| tend to close by gravity. As pointed out above, the spacing S between the pivot pins is less than the radius of .v'p'er "le *should* s'tick forfany reasomfit 'may beef fectively' jarred loosebypermittingthe quadrants "30 and'3 |"toV 'descend under' gravity- 'and strike the ""snop'memberez Awith a jarring mow.

'Having fully described my invention,` it isA tok be understood that I"`do notfwish'tofbe-limited to the details herein set fo'rthgbut my inventionl is of the full scope o1 the' appended claims.

Iclaim: 1.` Apparatus"fortransporting materials, comlprising in combination: a mobile framev including 'fa' hopper having an open bottom,vthe f ramehaving parallel beam-sections extendinglongitudipivot pins each projecting through one of said inner plates and one of said outer plates, and means including exible cables for moving the quadrant members to an inoperative position to expose the open bottom of the hopper.

2. Apparatus for transporting materials, comprising incombination.: a mobile frame including a hopper having an open bottom, the frame having parallel beam sections extending longitudinally along the upper portion thereof, each beam sectionincluding an inner plate forming one of the sides of the hopper and a Vspaced outer plate parallel thereto connected by vertically spaced horizontally extending spacers, cooperating means for closing the hopper bottom comprising a pair oi quadrant members extending transversely of the frame, means positioned between the inner and outer plates pivotally supporting each quadrant member on the frame, said means including coaxial pivot pins yeach projecting through one of said inner plates and one of said outer plates at a position below the lower spacer, and means including exible cables for moving the quadrant members to an inoperative position to expose the open bottom of the hopper.

3. Apparatus for transporting materials, comprising in combination: a mobile frame including a pair of parallel beam sections extending longitudinally along the upper portion thereof, each beam section including inner and outer parallel vertical plates transversely spaced, the inner plate of each beam section extending downwardly to form two parallel sides of a hopper provided on the frame, means on the frame extending between said parallel sides and forming front and rear walls oi the hopper, the hopper having an open bottom, cooperating means for closing the hopper bottom comprising a pair of separable quadrant members extending transversely of the frame, means pivotally supporting each quadrant member on the frame including co-axial pivot pins each projecting through one of the inner plates and one of the outer plates, and hub means turnable on the pins between the plates adapted to support each quadrant member on the pivot pins.

4. Apparatus for transporting materials, comprising in combination: a mobile frame including a pair of parallel beam sections extending longitudinally along the upper portion thereof, each beam section including inner and outer parallel tern-ce1 plates nana/erst,1y*s"of plate of each'bearn vsection extending'dowriwardly 'to'formtwoparallel sides offahopper provided Aen the frame',`ineans` on the frame extend i tween saro. 'parallel sides' fami forming "gineinieu frontV and rear walls 'oi f the lfopperftheffhpper having anopen bottom", cooperating'rneans'-for closing the hopper bottom comprisinga'pair of separable "quadrant members extending "transversely of the frame, means positioned between the inner and outer plates :pivotally supporting 'each quadrant member on theiirame including 'co-axial pivot pins each'projecting through Vone Yof the inner plates and "one of the outer plates,

and means for separating the quadrant members and `for moving them to'an irioperative'position adjacent the inclined wallsy of the hopperitoiexpose the open bottom of the'hopper. Y y v v5. Apparatus fortransporting'materials, rcmprising in combinatiom' mobile frame including a hopper having an open bottom,'thefframe having parallel Ybeam sections extendingdongitudinally Valong the upper portion thereoiffeach Vbeam section including an inner plate forming 'one of the sides of the hopper andan outerplate parallel thereto, cooperating means ior closing the hopper bottom comprising a pair of quadrant members extending transversely of the frame, means pivotally supporting each quadrant member on the frame, said means 'including coaxial pivot pins each projecting thr'oughonev of'said inner plates and one of' said outer plates, and a stop element xed on the outer face of each'o said inner plates adapted to limitpivotal movement of both quadrant members toward closed position.

6. Apparatus for transporting materials, comprising in combination: a lmobile frame including parallel vertical side walls and inclined end walls cooperating to define a hopper, the hopper having an open bottom, said side walls extending longitudinally of the frame and each having its lower edge symmetrically curved in two intersecting convex arcs, a pair of cooperating quadrant members pivotally mounted on the frame and adapted to close the hopper` bottom, the quadrant members each having a curved bottom lying adjacent one of the convex arcs on the lower edge of each side wall, power operated means for separating the quadrant members and for moving them to an inoperative position adjacent the inclined end Walls of the hopper, and a stop element fixed on each side wall adjacent the intersection of said convex arcs adapted to limit pivotal'movement of both quadrant members toward closed position.

7. Apparatus for transporting materials, comprising in combination: a mobile irame including a pair of parallel beam sections extending longitudinally along the upper portion thereof, each beam section including inner and outer parallel vertical plates transversely spaced, the inner plate of each beam section extending downwardly to form two parallel sides of a hopper provided on the frame, the lower terminal edge of each side being symmetrically curved in two intersecting convex arcs, means on the frame extending transversely between said longitudinal porting each quadrant member on the frame including co-axial pivot pins each projecting through one of the inner plates and one of the outer plates, the quadrant members each having a curved bottom lying adjacent one of the convex arcs on the lower edge of each side plate, land power operated means for separating the quadrant members and for moving them in an inoperative position adjacent the inclined end Walls of the hopper.

8. Apparatus for transporting materials, comprising in combination: a mobile frame including a pair of parallel beam sections extending longitudinally along the upper portion thereof, each beam section including inner and outer parallel vertical plates transversely spaced, the inner plate of each beam section extending downwardly to form two parallel sides of a hopper provided on the frame, the lower terminal edge of each sidebeing symmetrically curved in two intersecting convex arcs, the hopper having an open bottom, a. pair of cooperating quadrant members extending transversely of the frame and adapted to close the hopper bottom, means positioned between said plates for supporting the quadrant members for pivotal movement on the frame about longitudinally spaced transverse axes, the quadrant members each having a curved bottom, said curved bottoms and convex arcs on the lower edge of each side plate being struck from the pivotal axes as centers, and power operated means for actuating the quadrant members.

9. Apparatus for transporting materials, comprising in combination: a mobile frame including a pair of parallel beam sections extending longitudinally along the upper portion thereof, each beam section including inner and outer 8 parallel vertical plates transversely spaced, the inner plate of each beam section extending downwardly to form two parallel sides of a hopper provided on the frame, the lower terminal edge of each side being symmetrically curved in two intersecting convex arcs, the hopper having an open bottom, a pair of cooperating quadrant members extending transversely of the frame and Iadapted to close the hopper bottom, means pivotally supporting each quadrant member on the frame including coaxial pivot pins each projecting through one of the inner plates and one of the outer plates, hub means turnable on the pivot pins between the plates adapted to support each quadrant member on the pivot pins, the quadrant members each having a curved bottom, said curved bottoms and convex arcs on the lower edge of each side plate being struck from the pivotal axes as centers, and power operated means for actuating the quadrant members.

RALPH O. DIXSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 599,820 Sage May 13, 1902 718,868 Randel Feb. 3, 1903 760,499 Van Deusen May 24, 1904 763,706 Wolff et al. June 28, 1904 849,965 Blackwood Apr. 9, 1907 877,884 Collins Jan. 28, 1908 1,109,601 Steinmeyer Sept. 1, 1914 2,231,545 Myers Feb. 11, 1941 2,428,533 Simmons Oct. 7, 1947 

